With Ismael Saibari, FC Bayern’s first major summer transfer is on the verge of being finalized. While the Munich club pushes ahead with its squad overhaul, the attention of many fans has suddenly shifted to another figure: Max Eberl. The sporting director is currently receiving an unusually high level of praise for his transfer work.
FC Bayern seems to have learned its lessons from last summer’s transfer window. Unlike a year ago, when numerous negotiations dragged on into the final weeks of the transfer window, the Munich club wants to provide clarity much earlier this time around.
With Ismael Saibari, the first high-profile new signing is already on the horizon. According to consistent media reports, Bayern has agreed with PSV Eindhoven on a total package of up to 55 million euros. The Moroccan international is expected to be officially presented in the coming days.
Nathaniel Brown is also on the verge of a move to Munich. The German international is also expected to cost around 55 million euros.
Fans are rallying behind Eberl
The two transfers are generating great excitement among many Bayern fans. Notably, the positive sentiment is directed primarily at Max Eberl.
The sporting director has faced repeated criticism in recent months. His future has been the subject of constant debate, and reports have circulated about differing opinions within the club’s leadership.
Following the latest developments in the transfer market, many fans are now demonstratively siding with the 52-year-old.
On social media, Eberl’s work is being rated remarkably positively.
“Eberl brought us Olise, Diaz, and Kompany—players who immediately changed FC Bayern. Now he’s bringing in Saibari and Brown for a total of around 110 million euros, and yet there are still doubts about him,” wrote one fan on X.
Another even called for a quick contract extension: “Definitely extend Eberl’s contract. We’re building a world-class team right now.”
Saibari and Brown as selling points
Above all, the combination of athletic quality and comparatively moderate transfer fees is well-received by the fans.
Many fans see both Saibari and Brown as players with enormous potential for development, whose market value could rise significantly in the coming years.
“We’re signing Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari for 55 million euros each, and we’re still debating whether Eberl should stay. Those are absolute bargains in today’s market,” wrote another user.
Can Eberl win over the critics?
Internally, however, the situation remains tense.
It’s an open secret that there are differing opinions within the supervisory board regarding Eberl’s work. Uli Hoeneß, in particular, is repeatedly said to have doubts about certain decisions.
At the same time, the team’s on-field performance increasingly speaks in favor of the sporting director. With Michael Olise and Luis Díaz, Bayern has recently scored several major hits in the transfer market. Vincent Kompany also continues to enjoy a great deal of trust.
If Saibari and Brown also make an impact, perceptions surrounding Eberl could shift permanently.
One thing is already clear: While discussions in the upper echelons continue, many Bayern fans have apparently long since made up their minds. For them, Max Eberl is currently a key architect of the new Munich squad—and someone with whom the record champions should continue to plan for the future.